Parkin's Parables - The Barrels

Short stories from my life that have helped me. I hope they help you too!

Since the release of my self-help memoir in 2023, a number of people have asked: what is next?

These stories are the initial outcome to that question. Perhaps one day they will end up as an appendices in an updated version of Yourself or Someone Like You.

In the meantime...enjoy!

The Barrels [On the impact of negative people in a group]

Here is a (necessarily graphic) representation of the impact of negative people in your life:

Picture two barrels.

The first barrel full to the brim of crisp green granny-smith apples, perfect in every way. Freshly picked from the tree.

The second barrel full of raw, untreated, steaming sewerage. (I did say it would be graphic.)

If you take one of the perfect granny-smith apples and place it in the barrel of sewerage, what will happen to it?

It will be destroyed…forming part of its rotten, septic environment.

On the other hand, what would happen to the barrel of granny smith apples should a mere tablespoon of raw sewerage be placed in it?

That single tablespoon will eventually destroy the entire barrel of perfect apples.

It is unfortunate that negativity has a proportionately larger influence than positivity.

This analogy can be applied to various areas of your life, from your work environment to your friendship circles.

Be aware of the negativity you allow into your life, even a tablespoon can be too much!